Justice Department moves to cancel police reform settlements reached with Minneapolis and Louisville

Justice Department moves to cancel police reform settlements reached with Minneapolis and Louisville

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Justice Department moved Wednesday to cancel a settlement with Minneapolis that called for an overhaul of its police department following the murder of George Floyd, as well as a similar agreement with Louisville, Kentucky, saying it doesn't want to pursue the cases. Following ascathing reportby the Justice Department in 2023, Minneapolis in Januaryapproved a consent decreewith the federal government in the final days of the Biden administration to overhaul its training and use-of-force policies under court supervision. The agreement required approval from a federal court in Minnesota. But the Trump administration was granted a delay soon after taking officewhile it considered its options,and on Wednesday told the court it does not intend to proceed. It planned to file a similar motion in federal court in Kentucky. "After an extensive review by current Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division leadership, the United States no longer believes that the proposed consent decree would be in the public interest," said the Minnesota motion, signed by Andrew Darlington, acting chief of the special litigation section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The United States will no longer prosecute this matter." The Justice Department announced its decision just before the five-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. Then-officer Derek Chauvin used his knee on May 25, 2020, to pin the Black man to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes in a case that sparked protests around the world and a national reckoning with racism and police brutality. However, no immediate changes are expected to affect the Minneapolis Police Department, which is operatingunder a similar consent decreewith theMinnesota Human Rights Department. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara reiterated at a news conference Tuesday that his department would abide by the terms of the federal agreement as it was signed, regardless of what the Trump administration decided. The city in 2023reached a settlement agreementwith the state Human Rights Department to remake policing, under court supervision, after the agency issued ablistering report in 2022that found that police had long engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination.

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 21, 2025

Justice Department moves to cancel police reform settlements reached with Minneapolis and Louisville

Justice Department moves to cancel police reform settlements reached with Minneapolis and Louisville MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Justice Departme...

Read More

DOJ abandons police reform settlements over deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor

DOJ abandons police reform settlements over deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department is abandoning efforts to secure court-approved settlementswith MinneapolisandLouisville, despite its prior finding that police in both cities routinely violated the civil rights of Black people, a senior official said on Wednesday. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the department's Civil Rights Division, said her office will seek to dismiss the pending litigation against the two cities and retract the department's prior findings of constitutional violations. "Overbroad police consent decrees divest local control of policing from communities where it belongs, turning that power over to unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats, often with an anti-police agenda," Dhillon said in a statement. More:Minneapolis politics post-George Floyd: Four years later, what's changed? She also announced that the department will be closing out investigations and retracting prior findings of wrongdoing against the police departments in Phoenix, Arizona, Memphis, Tennessee, Trenton, New Jersey, Mount Vernon, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the Louisiana State Police. The move comes four days before the May 25 five-year anniversary ofthe death of George Floyd, a Black man who was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who knelt on his neck as Floyd repeatedly pleaded that he couldn't breathe. Floyd's killing, as well as the killing of Breonna Taylor who was shot to death by Louisville Police executing a no-knock warrant, sparked worldwide protests about racially-motivated policing practices during the final year of PresidentDonald Trump's first term in office. Louisville and Minneapolis were the two most high-profile cities to be investigated during former Democratic PresidentJoe Biden's administration for systemic police abuse, and were the only two cities that agreed in principle to enter into a court-approved settlement with the DOJ known as a consent decree. Minneapolis also separately entered a similar type of settlement with the state of Minnesota to reform its police practices. Congress authorized the Justice Department to conduct civil investigations into constitutional abuses by police, such as excessive use of force or racially-motivated policing, in 1994, as a response to the beating of Rodney King, a Black man, by white Los Angeles police officers. During Biden's presidency, the Civil Rights Division launched 12 such "pattern or practice" investigations into police departments including Phoenix, New York City, Trenton, Memphis and Lexington, Mississippi. But during those four years it failed to enter into any court-binding consent decrees, an issue that legal experts warned could put the department's police accountability work at risk of being undone. Under Dhillon's leadership, the Civil Rights Division has lost more than 100 of its attorneys through deferred resignation agreements, demotions and resignations. "Over 100 attorneys decided that they'd rather not do what their job requires them to do, and I think that's fine," Dhillon told Glenn Beck on his podcast on April 26. Last month, Dhillon demoted senior attorneys who handled police abuse investigations to other low-level assignments, such as handling public records requests or adjudicating internal discrimination complaints. Those moves are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to upend the Civil Rights Division's traditions of pursuing cases to protect the civil rights of some of the country's most vulnerable and historically disenfranchised populations. Since January, it has paused probes of alleged police abuse, launched its first investigation into whether Los Angeles violated gun rights laws, and following Trump's lead, changed the department's stance on transgender rights and probed alleged antisemitism at U.S. colleges involving pro-Palestinian protesters. The department also recently ended a decades-old school desegregation order in Louisiana that came about in the wake of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education case. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US abandons police reform settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 21, 2025

DOJ abandons police reform settlements over deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor

DOJ abandons police reform settlements over deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Depart...

Read More

Justice Department to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolis

Justice Department to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolis

The U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday that it is moving to drop police reform agreements, known as consent decrees, that the Biden-era department reached with the cities of Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis. The court-enforceable agreements were born out of probes launchedafter the 2020 police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The agreements with Minneapolis and Louisville, which were intended to address allegations of systemic unconstitutional policing and civil rights violations, were both held up in federal court and have faced several delays, with the DOJ requesting various extensions to file documents requested by the federal judges in each case. Amid the delays, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told ABC News in a February interview that while the Trump administration could intervene in the process, since the agreements have already been filed in federal court, whether they are ultimately approved is not up to the White House, but "ultimately in the federal judge's hands." Officials in Minneapolis and Louisville told ABC News in February that the cities are still committed to the reforms outlined in the agreements and plan to implement changes with or without the support of the Trump administration. The consent decrees each lay out a roadmap for police reform to rectify civil rights violations that the DOJ uncovered and, if approved by a federal judge, the court will appoint an independent monitor to oversee the implementation of the reforms and actions outlined in the agreement. Kevin Trager, a spokesman for Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, told ABC News in February that the city and police are committed to the reforms agreed upon in the consent decree, "regardless of what happens in federal court." "Louisville Metro Government and LMPD will move forward and honor our commitment to meaningful improvements and reforms," Trager said. MORE: Cities where Breonna Taylor, George Floyd were killed vow to stay firm on police reform – with or without Trump Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ABC News in Febaruary that the city had "not heard directly" from the Trump administration regarding the consent decree, but the city plans to move forward with the terms of the agreement "with or without support from the White House." "It's unfortunate the Trump administration may not be interested in cooperating with us to improve policing and support our community, but make no mistake: we have the tools, the resolve, and the community's backing to fulfill our promise to the people of Minneapolis. Our work will not be stopped," Frey said. Following the new announcement from the DOJ on Wednesday, ABC News reached out to officials in Minneapolis and Louisville for additional comment. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division is also planning to close its investigations into police departments in Phoenix; Trenton, New Jersey; Memphis, Tennessee; Mount Vernon, New York; Oklahoma City; and the Louisiana State Police, according to the announcement. Additionally, the department said it will be "retracting" findings released during the Biden administration against departments alleged to have engaged in widespread misconduct against citizens. "Overboard police consent decrees divest local control of policing from communities where it belongs, turning that power over to unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats, often with an anti-police agenda," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement announcing the moves. "Today, we are ending the Biden Civil Rights Division's failed experiment of handcuffing local leaders and police departments with factually unjustified consent decrees." This is a developing story. Please come back for updates. Justice Department to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolisoriginally appeared onabcnews.go.com

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 21, 2025

Justice Department to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolis

Justice Department to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolis The U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday that it is...

Read More

Columbia students boo university president at graduation over Palestinian activist arrest

Columbia students boo university president at graduation over Palestinian activist arrest

Columbia University acting President Claire Shipman faced loud booing and chants of "Free Mahmoud" at a commencement ceremony on May 20, bringing her speech to a standstill as students expressed outrage over the continued detention of their peer. The scene, captured in posts shared across social media, shows students from Columbia College, an undergraduate school for liberal arts, interrupting Shipman's speech as they called for student activist Mahmoud Khalil to be released. Others can be heard yelling, "You arrested us," alluding to the university calling in police to break up student protests. Immigration agents arrested Khalil, a green card holder married to an American citizen, on March 8 in the lobby of his student apartment building in Manhattan. The Department of Homeland Security is trying to deport Khalil, arguing that his pro-Palestinian activism threatens U.S. foreign policy interests. He remains in a detention facility in Louisiana and is scheduled to appear in an immigration court there on May 22. LIVE: At@ColumbiaCollege commencement, the speech of acting president Claire Shipman is drowned out as graduates erupt into a "FREE MAHMOUD" chant.pic.twitter.com/EQ6yzxU7PO — Jessica Schwalb (@jessicaschwalb7)May 20, 2025 Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comansruled on April 11that the Trump administration can move forward with efforts to deport Khalil. Khalil's attorneys said they have filed a renewed request with the judge to drop the U.S. government's case, citing new video evidence they say shows that hisarrest was illegal. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents initially said they had a warrant in their arrest report, according to Khalil's attorneys. Later, government lawyers acknowledged in a court filing that they did not have a warrant but argued that none was needed because of "exigent circumstances." They wrote that Khalil was a "flight risk" and that "it was likely he would escape before they could obtain a warrant." Thesurveillance footageand previously released video contradicts that, Khalil's legal team says. The video shows Khalil calmly talking to agents, cooperating and making no attempt to leave. "The footage released today of Mahmoud Khalil's arrest couldn't be clearer — the Trump administration's claims that Mr. Khalil resisted arrest are false," said Amol Sinha, executive director at the ACLU of New Jersey. "His unlawful arrest is a result of deliberate targeting by the federal government in retaliation for his advocacy in support of Palestinian rights." The video was obtained through a subpoena sent to Columbia University. It supports previous statements andvideo footagetaken by Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla. Khalil also has afederal lawsuit pendingbefore the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that claims his detention violates his constitutional rights of free speech and due process. The case was filed in New Jersey because Khalil was detained there before his transfer to an immigration detention center in Louisiana. A Palestinian who was born and raised in Syria, Khalil has not been accused of any crime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued in a letter to the court, submitted as evidence, that he has the authority to deport noncitizens who harm foreign policy interests even if their beliefs, statements or associations are "otherwise lawful." Rubio also alleged that Khalil participated in "antisemitic protests and disruptive activities" that "undermine U.S. efforts to combat anti-Semitism." Khalil was a student negotiator and spokesman for protesters at Columbia in the spring of 2024, when protests against war in Gaza gripped college campuses. He and his lawyers have disputed allegations of antisemitism. They argue that the Trump administration is attempting to silence criticism of Israel and falsely conflating pro-Palestinian activism with antisemitism. Jewish students at Columbia have also written letters to the court saying Khalil had supported them and defended them. Opinion:Why didn't Mahmoud Khalil, detained Columbia graduate student, condemn Hamas? Khalil's case was the first of several high-profile incidents in which pro-Palestinian student activists were detained by immigration authorities and targeted for deportation. Federal judges have freed several of the students on bail, including fellow Columbia activist Mohsen Mahdawi, who was detained by ICE during a citizenship interview in April. Mahdawi graduated on May 19 receiving a standing ovation as he donned a keffiyeh and flashed peace signs to the crowd. Khalil, who missed the birth of his first child last month, will also miss his commencement ceremony at Columbia on May 21. He completed his master's degree from the School of International and Public Affairs in December. On May 18, Abdalla, his wife, accepted a diploma on his behalf in an alternative "People's Graduation" ceremony, holding their son, Deen. The ceremony was organized by the People's University for Palestine, a coalition of student organizations advocating for Palestinian rights. Abdalla read out a message from Khalil. "Thank you for holding me in your hearts today. It has been two months since I was taken from my family and from you, detained simply for speaking the truth about Palestine," she read from the statement. "Columbia University, the place where we sought knowledge, justice, and truth, chose silence instead of solidarity. It failed me, but you didn't. You showed up, you reminded me that while institutions may abandon us, the people never will. "I'm endlessly proud to be among you, and I carry your love with me every day," Abdalla read. "Please keep carrying mine." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Columbia students interrupt graduation with 'Free Mahmoud' chant

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 21, 2025

Columbia students boo university president at graduation over Palestinian activist arrest

Columbia students boo university president at graduation over Palestinian activist arrest Columbia University acting President Claire Shipma...

Read More

High-Ranking Democrat Congressman Dies Months After Cancer Returns

High-Ranking Democrat Congressman Dies Months After Cancer Returns

Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly died Monday morning following a battle with cancer. Connolly, 75,announcedin April that he would not seek reelection and would resign as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee following the return of his esophageal cancer diagnosis. HedefeatedNew York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to lead the panel in December. "It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family," the family of Connolly wrote in astatementposted to X Monday morning. Connolly is the third House Democrat to die since the 119th Congress began in January. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter's byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contactlicensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 21, 2025

High-Ranking Democrat Congressman Dies Months After Cancer Returns

High-Ranking Democrat Congressman Dies Months After Cancer Returns Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly died Monday morning following a b...

Read More